Chapter 3: Cabling and Topology - buaamer81/IT130-Networking-Wiki GitHub Wiki
Chapter 3: Cabling and Topology
Summary
This chapter explains:
- How network devices are physically connected.
- Different types of cabling used in networking.
- Physical and logical network topologies.
- Important cabling standards and connectors.
Key Concepts
Network Topologies (Design Layouts)
| Topology | Description | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bus | Single backbone cable | Easy, Cheap | Not scalable |
| Ring | Devices in a circle | Simple | Single failure breaks network |
| Star | Devices connect to a central switch/hub | Most common | Central device failure risk |
| Mesh | Every device connected to every other | Very reliable | Very expensive |
Types of Cables
1. Twisted Pair
- UTP (Unshielded Twisted Pair)
- STP (Shielded Twisted Pair)
- Twisted Pair cables like Glossary/UTP and Glossary/STP are common in Ethernet networks.
Common Categories:
| Cable Type | Speed | Max Length |
|---|---|---|
| Cat 5e | 1 Gbps | 100 meters |
| Cat 6 | 1-10 Gbps | 100 meters |
| Cat 6a | 10 Gbps | 100 meters |
2. Coaxial Cable
- RG-6 (Used for cable internet)
- RG-59 (Older video use)
Connectors:
- BNC
- F-type
3. Fiber Optic Cable
- Uses light signals
- Very high speed
- Long distance communication
Types:
- Single-mode (Longer distance)
- Multi-mode (Shorter distance)
Connectors:
- SC, ST, LC
Connectors Overview
| Connector | Use |
|---|---|
| RJ-45 | Ethernet |
| RJ-11 | Telephone |
| BNC | Coaxial |
| SC, ST, LC | Fiber Optic |
Cabling Standards
- TIA/EIA-568A and 568B (Ethernet Cable Color Codes)
- Straight-Through Cable → Different devices (PC to Switch)
- Crossover Cable → Similar devices (PC to PC or Switch to Switch)
Tools for Cabling Work
- Crimper (attach RJ-45 connectors)
- Cable Tester (verify connections)
- Punchdown Tool (connect cables to patch panels)
- Tone Generator & Probe (locate cables)
- A device like a Glossary/Switch uses Glossary/MAC Address to forward data.
Sample Practice Questions
- Which topology connects all devices to a central hub or switch?
- a) Mesh
- b) Ring
- c) Star
- d) Bus
Answer: c) Star
- What type of cable uses light to transmit data?
- a) Coaxial
- b) UTP
- c) Fiber Optic
- d) STP
Answer: c) Fiber Optic